Bishop Gateway

Led by The Auckland Project and 11Arches (creators of Kynren), in partneship with Durham County Council and the Bishop Auckland Stronger Towns Board, Bishop Gateway is a cornerstone of the wider regeneration programme shaping Bishop Auckland’s bright future.

Bishop Gateway will play a key role in supporting the town’s expanding visitor economy, complementing major cultural and tourism investments such as Kynren, Auckland Palace and Gardens, the Faith Museum, the Spanish Gallery, the Mining Art Gallery and Binchester Roman Fort.

By enabling more than 1 million visitors each year, the scheme will significantly boost local business opportunities, create jobs and strengthen community prosperity.

The new road will link the overflow car park to the A688, improving access and making it easier for residents and visitors to reach the town’s growing number of attractions, while alleviating traffic impact on the town centre.

The project also includes a new junction, a pedestrian bridge, cycle routes and footpaths, together with more than 2,500 new parking spaces helping to manage future traffic demand, protect the town from congestion as visitor numbers grow, enhance connectivity, and futureproof Bishop Auckland’s infrastructure for generations to come.

These improvements will make Bishop Auckland safer, greener and more accessible for visitors, positioning it as the gateway to the Durham Dales and providing the foundation for sustainable, long-term growth.

The Bishop Gateway has been funded with £15.7 million from the Government’s Stronger Towns Fund.